Property taxes are mailed to property owners every year in late May, and taxes are due in early July. Utilities (curbside collection, water, and sewer service) are billed separately three times per year.
How to pay your property tax
Pay your property taxes using online or telephone banking. Alternatively, you can pay by cheque by mail, in person or in the drop-box at the main entrance to Municipal Hall.
2025 property tax payments are due July 2, 2025 at 4:00pm
Avoid a 10% penalty by paying your taxes before the deadline. If you have not received your tax notice by the second week of June, contact the Financial Services department.
The primary source of revenue for municipalities comes from property taxes. The documents below provide details on how tax rates are set and where tax revenues are spent:
- 2025 Tax Rates Bylaw - learn at what rates different property classes are taxed
- 2025 Tax Breakdown - learn where your property taxes go
- CVRD 2025 tax insert - did you know that North Cowichan collects some taxes on behalf of the Cowichan Valley Regional District? Learn where regional district taxes are re-invested in North Cowichan
Property owners should be aware that properties for which taxes have not been paid for 3 years are subject to the Tax Sale.
Property tax pre-payment
North Cowichan offers a pre-payment plan for property owners to pre-pay their next years' property taxes. Under this program, you can make a payment monthly so that you don’t have to pay your taxes in a single lump sum. To learn more about or apply for this program, review the property tax installment prepayment plan form.
Provincial programs:
Home owner grants
The home owner grant program is now administered by the province and grants must be claimed every year. You must claim the grant every year before the tax payment deadline to avoid a 10% penalty on the grant portion of your taxes.
To claim your grant:
- Visit www.gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant or
- Call 1-888-355-2700
Speculation and Vacancy Tax
The speculation and vacancy tax is an annual tax based on how owners use residential properties in areas in B.C. affected most by the current housing shortage crisis. In 2024 the tax has been expanded to include North Cowichan.
Property Tax Deferment Program
The Property Tax Deferment program is administered by the province. Visit www.gov.bc.ca/propertytaxdeferment or call 1-888-355-2700 for information and eligibility.
Assessment information
BC Assessment produces independent, uniform and efficient property assessments on an annual basis for all property owners in the province. Visit the links below for topics commonly asked by North Cowichan residents.